CYCLING.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 257, 30 October 1929, Page 20

CYCLING.

WITH THE AMATEURS.

TRACK SEASON OPENED. COMMENTS OX LABOUR DAY EVENTS. FIXTURES. Wednesday. October 30.—Two Miles Track Handicap, Domain. 5.45 p.lll. Saturday, November 2.—Chin Run, Lynndale Track, leave I'onsonby Reservoir at 2 p.m. The track season for amateur cyclists in Auckland commenced 011 Monday last with the annual Labour Day sports. In the earlier hours of the morning, in fact, right up till a little past 9 a.m., there wag every appearance of a real wet day. But at 10 a.m. the rain ceased and the sun was soon chining with full force and the/usual and characteristic fine Labour Day afternoon followed. The rainsoaked track of the morning was almost perfectly dry when the programme of athletic sports commenced at 2.15 p.m., with the first heat of the half mile cycle handicap. The programme could be practically termed a cycling one, for of the 28 athletic events decided 15 were cycle races. The entries this year were not so good as those received for the sports last year, but the racing was of a far better standard, and the times in the half and one mile events were a lot faster than those registered over the same distances last year. The track was exceptionally heavy, and the cyclists did well to make such good times, especially when they have had little chance of training upon a grass track— training on the Inner Domain oval is at present forbidden and the Outer Domain track needs extensive work upon it before .it can be a satisfactory training ground for cyclists.

Coming to individual performers, G. M. Lethaby was the surprise packet of the day, and created a very strong impression upon keen followers of the sport. Lethaby was competing in his first track races, and the splendid fashion in which he won his heat and the final of the half mile from off 70yds, stamps him as a rider to be closely watched during tl present track season. Lethaby Avon his heat by a good 20yds from J. H. Wade, who made a brilliant effort from off the scratch mark to get to the head of the field. Lethaby rode his heat in the fait time of 1.8 3-5, and in the final he hopped out at the bell and led the full lap of 440 yards, to win by two lengths from F. W. Eestall (60yds).' Lethaby also competed in the one mile, and came second in his heat off 150 yds, but was unplaced in the final. The form he displayed in all four events he started in, and the strong finishing effort he unfurled, especially for a lad of only 16 years, was remarkable. Mr. Geo. Lethaby, sen., a wellknown old-time cyclist, was present to

witness his son's efforts, and was delighted at the success which attended same.

On the clay F. W. Restall was the only rider to be placed 011 more than one occasion in the finals. In all lie won four races, the fourth heat of the half mile, off 60yds; the fourth heat and final of the one mile off 130 yds, and the third heat of the two miles Off 280 yds, and also finished second in the half mile final. He was easily the most successful competitor at the meeting. The calm, cool and steady manner in which he judged his finishing effort, in two cases in particular when he won by inches only, marks him as a difficult rider to account for at the business end of a race. He was riding off fairly good marks, but nevertheless the tactics lie adopted would have carried him to success in better company. Restall is of light build, but can get them round in fine style when he makes his effort, generally when he reaches the finishing straight, which makes him a far more dangerous opponent than the rider who commences his effort at the bell with a lap to go. Placed second in his heat of the two miles, S. Baird (220 yds) narrowly defeated S. Litchfield (240 yds), in the best final of the afternoon, in which he started next to virtual scratch; After one lap had been completed the eight finalists were together, and a steady pace was maintained until the bell, when L. Aldred (200vd:), virtual scratch, who then had the lead, started to wind up. The pace was fairly lively when the back straight was entered, but Litchfield made it more so when lie jumped out from third position and romped past the leader, with Baird right 011 his wheel. Over the last furlong the race rested with the pair just mentioned. Litchfield entered the finishing straight first, but Baird was rapidly drawing alongside, and in a well-timed effort forced his wheel ahead of Litchfield's, to win by six inches; 110 more.

The time for this final was exceedingly slow, 5m 325, when compared with the fastest of the three t.va-mile heal which was run off in 5m 10s. The comparatively slow time can be accounted for by the fact that the field, composed of all long-markers, was bunched early, after which the race resolved itself into a "waiting game." Consequently the last lap was a very fast and exciting one. But such crawling tactics do not meet with the approval of the spectators, who do not appreciate such loafing, but like to see the riders race with some determination, even to hop out half way through a race to try and shake off the opposition. Of course, such riding is very detrimental to the competitor who essays same, for he places himself at a distinct disadvantage when compared to those following in his wake. An almost superhuman effort is necessary to achieve'success by the adoption of such a method, hence the slow final of the two-mile Labour Day AVlieel Race, the big event of the programme.

The "miss and out" race attracted twelve of the best riders competing on the day. In a race of this description the last man, after two laps have been completed by the field, to cross the line at the conclusion of a lap is called off the track until'there are three left,'when

the bell is rung and the struggle for premier place commences in earnest. The only spill which occurred during the afternoon happened in this race. S. Baird, C. I. Gainsborough (who was competing in his seventh consecutive Labour Day sports) and C. I. Galbraith fell in a heap when entering the back straight 011 the fourth lap. No serious injury accompanied the spill, but Galbraith's back wheel was a hopeless wreck; only the hub remained intact. This accident shortened the race by three laps, for their forced retirement saved the official megaphonist calling them off the track. When the field had sifted down to three F. J. Casey, A. Mackie (late of Christchurch) and K. G. Foubister were left. At the bell Casey had the lead, in fact he hardly lost such position during the whole eight laps, and over the final circuit he led all the way." Mackie, who came second- to him, rode the lap 011 Casey's wheel, being undei; the impression that there was yet another lap to go. Casey was the only rider of the "old school" to perform with any success. Labour Day, 1924, Casey made his first appearance before an athletic gathering in Auckland, and on Labour Day, 1925, won his first track race, a two-111 iler oft' SOvds.